KUMPOOL, an e-hailing application which is servicing the community around the Bukit Gasing area in Petaling Jaya (PJ), is giving out 10,000 free rides for those in need of cheaper public transport.

The app, which was launched last week to address the issues of parking, traffic congestion and to serve the community, has been receiving positive response.

Kumpool covers over 130 stops from Section 1 to Section 19 and it currently is running for free. After the promotion period, users will only pay RM1 for a ride.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran, who collaborated with the Kumpool team, said the initiative’s main aim was to provide transport to ease the burden of the people.

“PJ is already congested. It’s close to impossible if you want to find parking in a commercial area.

“Especially during office hours, it is difficult to get parking. So, we hope that this app will help overcome the issue of traffic congestion and lack of parking space,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Handal Ceria Sdn Bhd (Causeway Link) is the operator of the app. Kumpool was initially available in Johor Baru but it has now come to Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya.

The app will cover commercial areas such as PJ old and new town, Digital Mall in Section 14, the Section 17 market, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Jaya One and other areas.

Rajiv said for the convenience of users coming into PJ, they should travel via the LRT, disembark at the Taman Jaya station and then get on the app.

“We currently have two vans servicing all the routes from 8am to 8pm. It’s much easier if people use the LRT to get here and then get on the app.

“The app is free to download and it is open to all who are coming to the PJ area.”

He said that if there is demand then they will look into expanding the services by getting more vans.

“We just launched the app, so it is difficult to gauge the ridership. Once we have that information we will look into improving the service.”

Rajiv said that only difference in using the app is that it is a shared service with other people.

“The app is also helpful for those who are living in high-density areas where the bus stops are quite far from their residence.

“The app will also benefit the elderly who need to go out for shopping, to the hospital or attend to other matters.”

The app is free to download and is available on App Store and on Google Play. – April 20, 2022.